NAIROBI: Never in history has the world been so global. The Internet has revolutionised the world and we now live in a time where distance has been bridged by technology. Our children are now going to be global citizens and we must prepare them for this.
The media in whatever form is shaping their young opinions. Things that were whispered in dark places are now shouted across the Internet. It exposes our children to positive things as well as negative ones. Everyday our children are bombarded with information that we as adults never had to evaluate. Social media is shaping their views on body image, sex, politics and general culture.
Every question is just a google away and we are no longer the custodians of information, the amorphous world that is virtual has taken over that purview. How then do we protect our children from the monsters that may lie within their phones, pads and computers?
The first is to determine when your child should have access to these gadgets and before giving them that birthday or Christmas gift, prepare them for the responsibility.
I am an old fashioned parent when it comes to electronics. If I bought it, or it resides in my house and belongs to my child then I have rights to it. In my eyes checking what is in it, which sites he or she is visiting is not invasion of privacy, it is a parental requirement.
Many may disagree, I have no problem with differing opinions. That is mine, and my two children with phones know it. Of course there is always the delete button!
Beyond and before policing, talk to your child, candidly, on the dangers lurking within the internet. Start small. It is not wise to give them a phone with great capabilities first, start with the main functions - call, sms, alarm device and upgrade from there.
Put parental control on your Wi-fi connection to block out sites. Be vigilant to know where they are visiting. For a long time the only desktop computer in my house was in the living room. Accessible and visible to all. Unfortunately mobility of gadgets has neutralised that advantage.
Our children are in uncharted waters but so are we as adults yet it remains up to us to employ an educated approach to it. And in the words of Ronald Reagan: ‘Trust, but verify’.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
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